Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Tour de Christmas Tree

Well, I’m certainly not one to miss out on a stream of parties, so I felt the need to participate with Sarah’s Christmas tree tour. Consider yourself forewarned, however. There are lots of pictures!

red green tree

Anyone who’s taken a picture of your Christmas tree understands just what a pain in the mistletoe it really is. I probably tried 4,263 settings on my camera to get it acceptable. Nothing’s as good as seeing it in person, is it?

country christmas tree

The thing about living in Michigan is that once Christmas ends, it simply signals the beginning of a long, cold winter ahead. Because of that, I like my tree to be warm and cozy—the opposite of the weather I’m walking in from! (Notice the snow in the background.)

red burlap christmas tree

As for how to make it cozy, it means warm colors, natural tones, and some obvious texture. My ornaments are a mishmash of glitz and and simplicity. I blend glittered berry garland with cut up strips of burlap, and I like a sparkly ornament next to a wood cut-out.

I bought the red and green ones from various stores, but I picked up a ton of unfinished craft ornaments last year. Since the most expensive one ran me about $ .50, I was more than happy to use plenty of them. They are my favorite ornaments on the tree!

                    let it snow      snowflake ornament

   snowflake ornament        glitter ornament     

   glittered pear        rustic ornament

          house ornament      red ornament

I guess this isn’t too bad of a reward to receive after a white-knuckled drive home from work! Of course, some hot cocoa and an 8-year old who won’t stop practicing for her Christmas concert always helps, too!

christmas family room

49 comments:

Kat said...

I love your tree! It looks beautiful!!!

Andrea at Opulent Cottage said...

Gorgeous tree! I know what you mean about photographing them, it's not easy. Your photos look great though!
Happy Holidays,
Andrea

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Chris, love your colors, it's all beautiful. And that snow! Wow, I can't imagine.

Come see my little tree too, OK?!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, you did a great job decorating. I love your red ornaments, just made it pop. =)

Beth said...

Pain in the mistletoe to photograph indeed, but you pulled it off! Gorgeous! And the presents look gorgeous too. You need to repost your packaging post. You're the master!

Lani @ Diapers and Divas said...

I love it! I'm so using the lime green next year...I'm just dying over it! And I totally feel you on the camera sitch...It just never looks exactly right! But yours looks great!!

Traci@ Beneath My Heart said...

Chris!
Your house is so clean? Do you really have kids? Please tell me you slaved all day to clean it up and take pictures, k? I love your tree too. It definitely is warm and cozy. But presents already wrapped? Seriously? Are you wonderwoman? Mine won't get wrapped til the last minute, I'm sure.
Besides being pea-green with envy...I really do think your tree is gorgeous!

Shaunna said...

Beautiful...can't wait to get mine set up now. I want to curl up on your couch with some coffee and a book. :) shaunna

Rachelle said...

*Golf clap*

Love it, Chris. Gorgeous as always.

xo

Rebecca Lewis said...

Beautiful! Have a wonderful week ~ Rebecca

Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish said...

Beautiful!!! Love your color scheme!! Just too pretty!!! And I cannot believe that you have wrapped presents! Just a girl? How about Wonder Girl!!

junkgarden said...

I LOVE it! Just beautiful and your photos are lovely. Great job!
Angie

Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top said...

Your tree is beautiful! Just the right mix of everything. The presents look really pretty too. :)

Susan said...

Yay for mixing!! I also use rustic ornaments (red tin stars) w/ glittery, shiny (gold sparkly balls).

Gorgeous tree!!

Amy said...

Your tree (and living room) are beautiful! I hope to get our Christmas tree up this weekend.

Giggles said...

Vibrant and classy! Love the ambience! There is nothing like seeing it in person!

LWLH said...

I love your tree...it def. look comfy and cozy, I can take a nap in your tree...lol

Amanda Lee said...

Your tree looks magical -- very sweet and warm and welcoming!

Irene said...

Picture perfect!
We keep our tree up between our kids' birthdays, that's about a month and h half, which is a lovely cure for winter blues.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Beautiful! Warm and cozy it is!

Battfam said...

I love the way you decorated the tree. I like the mix of ornaments and textures.

Debra from Bungalow said...

Beautiful tree. I love the red!
And your pics probably don't look half as good as it really looks. :)

Unknown said...

What a gorgeous tree and mantel. Love the natural elements you tied in with glitter and twinkles. The whole room looks fab. Jen

Richella Parham said...

Oh, how beautiful. It's just lovely. And this is one of the times of year I really miss Michigan. I loved the snow in December. Of course, come March, I was not so fond of it, but in December. . .? It's magical!

LOVE the last photo of your warm and inviting room!

Unknown said...

Beautiful tree!!! Beautiful room really! :)

Skooks said...

Another Michigander here. I know how you feel! It's borderline ridiculous how long winter lasts around here. LOVE the tree. :)

Shannon said...

Your tree looks great! I love it! I really love the burlap and I too love the natural mixed with sparkle. :)

Tiffany said...

I remember when you made that wreath over the mantle and it's been on my list ever since. Did you use boas for it? And any chance you remember about how many of them it took?

Belinda said...

How beautiful!

Gloria Fox said...

Gorgeous!!!

kimert said...

I'm with you! It is SO hard to get the perfect picture of a lit Christmas tree. I love your pics though. They turned out great and your tree is gorgeous! I also LOVE the beautiful, simplicity of your mantel!

Unknown said...

Your tree is beautiful! I guess you figured out the right camera setting because it really does look great in your photos ... but you are right, there's nothing like seeing the tree in person! A photo usually doesn't do it justice.

BeingBrook said...

Beautiful!! Love the color scheme. I can't believe the snow! Eek! My kids would love it but Brrr...

Natalie@Endless Crafting said...

Gorgeous tree!

Melinda said...

Looks very cozy and festive.

Melinda

Anonymous said...

Yes, it IS a pain to take a picture of the tree and all the lights; I've had trouble before. Going to try it again tonight. I'm trying both night time and day time photos. Daytime photos are HARD, since the tree is in front of a window, and there is glare.ugh!

your tree is so pretty!

Two Little Tots said...

Beautiful tree! And I agree...taking a great picture of a tree is hard work.

But, your gifts look so pretty under there...can you do a post about them? I love the wrapping paper!

Unknown said...

Your tree is gorgeous, as is your mantle! Merry Christmas!!

Chrystie said...

Beautiful!! Love it!

The House of Healy said...

Um, okay, *gorgeous*!!! What a great tree. I love how the LR is decorated too! I love tons of photos, because it helps you see the whole thing!!

Unknown said...

I love the reds and greens. A classic look, and a gorgeous tree!

Lettered Cottage said...

WOW! I LOVE LOVE LOVE your tree!!!
From the decorations, to the shape of the tree, to the way the branches look- it's ALL BEAUTIFUL! :-)

Layla

And I LOVE your wrapping paper choices too! :-)

Anonymous said...

That's so pretty!

Robin said...

My 2 and half year old would have way too much fun with your tree! It is soooo beautiful!!! Maybe in a couple of years I can make a tree that wonderful!

P.S. Love your living room!! Gorgeous!

Michael Wurm Jr said...

oh my! love the tree! love the mantel! love the room!

beautiful.... and those little houses on the tree. soo cute!

Lisa @ Shine Your Light said...

your tree is one of the prettiest of seen, and there are some beauties out here in blogland right now! I love the burlap ribbon and the color scheme, and the fact that your presents under the tree are in red and green too! lovely!

Barb said...

Great tree pictures Chris! Absolutely love it. You have gifts wrapped too, WOW.. I'm impressed. I agree with every persons who made a comment. I love the natural, simple, glittery, burlap, red and lime of ALL OF IT!!!! Good Job Sweetheart. I'm still trying to get cards out.

Mom

Handbags*and*Pigtails said...

This is beautiful! Im ready to come over, sit by the fire and open my presents.:)

Free Art Printables said...

I adore your little aqua tree! I bought a pink one for my girls room. So adorable! I love your other decorations too!

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